Process and methods

2 Evidence summaries

2 Evidence summaries

2.1 Aims

provide a summary of the best available evidence relating to the use of a medicine for a specific condition within the context of other NICE guidance in that therapeutic area

inform national commissioning decisions about medicines, for example by NHS England

provide consistent access to the best available information on a medicine to guide local decision-making and planning, for example, by the regional medicines optimisation committees (RMOCs), within an area prescribing committee (APC) across a clinical commissioning group (CCG) or NHS trust within a local health economy (this helps avoid potential duplication of effort at a national, regional or local level)

provide information for healthcare professionals to inform their decision-making and support the development and updating of local formularies

help inform the public about a medicine and condition to help them make decisions about the medicine

provide information about an unlicensed medicine or off-label use of a licensed medicine that is being considered when there are no suitable alternatives licensed for that situation

inform the development or updating of NICE guidance.

2.2 Key audiences

Evidence summaries are produced to inform the decision-making of:

groups involved in:

commissioning or funding services using medicines (such as NHS England, RMOCs and local APCs)

developing medicines optimisation policies

individual funding requests, for example, within a CCG or NHS trust

healthcare professionals caring for individuals

healthcare professionals[2] involved in local commissioning decisions for planning purposes, for example, within a CCG or NHS trust

patients and the public

local medicines optimisation and horizon scanning services.

2.3 Key activities

Producing an evidence summary involves:

identifying, prioritising and selecting the topic

summarising the best available evidence

critically reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the selected evidence

placing any new and existing evidence in the context of the wider evidence base for managing the condition, particularly NICE guidance, if available

highlighting any potential implications for local decision-making or clinical practice.

[2] There are restrictions on the promotion of new medicines to healthcare professionals before receipt of a marketing authorisation. Information on yet-to-be-licensed medicines may be provided to healthcare professionals only for planning purposes in their role as commissioners.